Kings will need to defend better against Oilers' top line
We are just hours away from Game 2 between the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers, and the Kings should have one thing on their mind: shutting down the Oilers' top line.
Between Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, nine points were combined in Game 1. The Kings will need to focus on limiting their chances, and that could mean pairing Drew Doughty against them as much as possible.
The challenge in that comes with the Oilers having their last chance because they are home. Which means they can dictate when McDavid and Hyman go on the ice and what pairings they face.
This is where the Kings will need to have trust in all their pairings, close gaps on the Oilers' top players faster, and get into the shooting lanes in order to stop them.
There could also be the argument that Cam Talbot needs to be better in Game 2. You can't give up seven goals and expect your team to still win the game. Especially not against Edmonton, who are an offensively dangerous team.
The expectation from all Kings' fans and the coaching staff is that Talbot will have a bounceback game because of how poorly he played in Game 1. If he doesn't, then there could be a chance that he is sitting on the bench to start Game 3.
The Kings can't win a track meet against the Oilers; they need to be disciplined and as good defensively as they possibly can to have a chance to beat the Oilers. Kings' fans have seen the playing lockdown defence throughout the season and will need to see it again in Game 2.